What is a capsule tear on the thumb?
The joints that connect the individual bony elements of the thumb are each surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue, which stabilizes it and enables smooth movements. A violent impact can lead to a rupture of the capsule at the thumb. The consequences are pain and limited mobility.
As a rule, the treatment is primarily done by sparing and resting the thumb. Only under certain circumstances is a surgical intervention necessary. In most cases, a torn capsule in the thumb heals without consequential damage. Sometimes, however, a long-term limitation of the hand’s function remains.
Treatment
Immediate treatment after a ruptured capsule on the thumb consists of immobilising the hand and cooling it (for example with an ice pack wrapped in a kitchen towel). A doctor should then be consulted as soon as possible to determine the further course of treatment based on the findings and the diagnosis. In most cases, no special treatment is required and the torn capsule on the thumb must heal by sparing and immobilising it for the next few weeks.
If necessary, the physician prescribes a special splint or tapes the affected joint. Only in a few cases does the extent of the injury require direct special treatment:
- If the thumb is dislocated, it must be repositioned as soon as possible.
- In the case of an injury to bone parts or vision, surgical treatment is usually unavoidable in order to repair the damage caused.
- All forms of capsule rupture of the thumb can be accompanied by the temporary intake of an anti-inflammatory painkiller.
In the event of a rupture of the capsule on the thumb, professional taping can help to stabilize and better distribute the force on the injured finger. In order to achieve the desired effect, precise knowledge of the anatomy and movement functions of the thumb as well as experience are necessary.
Taping should therefore only be performed by a trained person. Although there are numerous instructions on the Internet for self-taping, a visit to a doctor is recommended in case of a ruptured capsule. The doctor should exclude, among other things, whether there is an injury that should be treated by surgery.
In addition, taping is in many cases a good, but not always the most suitable form of immobilization. The mobility of the thumb is relatively little restricted. In some cases, it is therefore more likely to require the prescription of a splint or orthosis, which gives the thumb more stability.
In some cases, the physician prescribes a splint in case of a rupture of the capsule of the thumb. A special form of splint is the so-called Quengel splint, which exerts pressure on the joint by means of spring wire straps and thus counteracts restricted mobility. In this way, a permanent stiffening of the affected joint is avoided.
In the case of a ruptured thumb capsule with high instability, a rigid splint can also temporarily provide complete immobilization. Therefore, such splints are often used even after a surgical intervention. A bandage is a treatment option for immobilization in the case of a ruptured capsule in the thumb.
In contrast to a splint, mobility is less restricted, so that a bandage can be considered for less severe injuries while maintaining stability in the joint. It is usually a stocking-like cover made of an elastic material that fits the thumb tightly. In addition, a bandage can also be applied with elastic wraps, whereby the tension must be strong enough to ensure stability, but the bandage must also not be too tight.
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